The Alpina B3 is the BMW 3 Series as modified by the German tuner Alpina, offered over several generations from the late 1980s to today. The name started with the E30-based B3 2.7 in 1987 and continued through the E36, E46, E9x and F30 to the G20 with a 462 PS bi-turbo straight-six.
Alpina B3 at a glance
| E30 B3 2.7 (1987) | similar to the late C2/2 2.7: M20B25 block with M20B27 crank and custom rods, 885 head, compression 9.6:1 |
|---|---|
| E36 B3 3.0 (1993–1996) | successor of the B6 2.8 of the E36 series, based on the 325i; B3 3.2 followed in spring 1996 |
| E46 B3 3.3 (from 1999) | based first on the 328i, later the 330i; saloon, coupé, convertible and Touring; all-wheel drive from 2001 |
| E9x B3 Bi-Turbo (2007–2012) | based on the 335i; saloon (E90), Touring (E91), convertible (E93), coupé (E92); optional all-wheel drive from 2008 except the convertible |
| F30 B3 Bi-Turbo (from March 2013) | based on the F30 335i, 3.0 L bi-turbo six, 301 kW (409 PS), 600 N·m, 0–100 km/h in 4.0 s, top speed 305 km/h |
| G20 B3 | S58 3.0 L bi-turbo six with 340 kW (462 PS) and 700 N·m, 150 N·m more than the BMW M3 |
| B3 GT3 | limited run of the B3 S Bi-Turbo to celebrate the Alpina B6 GT3 winning the 2011 ADAC GT Masters |
This page is based on English Wikipedia only, so the figures could not be cross-checked against a second source.
History of the Alpina B3
Early B3 and the 1990s
The B3 name began with the B3 2.7 of 1987, which is similar to the late C2/2 2.7: it uses the M20B25 block with the M20B27 crankshaft and custom rods, the exclusive 885 cylinder head decked about 1 mm for a compression ratio of 9.6:1, custom domed pistons by KS or Mahle, and a custom engine map. Between 1993 and 1996 the BMW Alpina B3 3.0 of the E36 series was built as the direct successor of the B6 2.8 of the E36 series; in spring 1996 the B3 3.2 followed as an upgrade.
E46, E9x and F30
In 1999 the new Alpina B3 3.3 of the E46 series appeared on the 328i and later the 330i bodies, as saloon, coupé, convertible and Touring, with all-wheel drive from 2001. The second Alpina B3 Biturbo was produced from 2007 to 2012 on the BMW 335i (E90, E91, E92, E93). The F30 B3 Bi-Turbo was in production from March 2013 with a 409 PS bi-turbo six that accelerates it from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds and tops out at 305 km/h. A new model on the G20 3 Series replaced it, with the S58 engine producing 462 PS.
B3 GT3
To celebrate Alpina’s victory in the 2011 ADAC GT Masters with an Alpina B6 GT3, Alpina produced a limited run of the B3 S Bi-Turbo called the B3 GT3, with a lighter Akrapovič exhaust, a carbon-fibre rear wing, a special front splitter and 19-inch Alpina GT3 Classic wheels painted Himalaya Grey.
Design and features
- Engines: hand-built Alpina engines, from reworked M20 sixes to bi-turbo straight-sixes.
- Body styles: saloon, coupé, convertible and Touring, with xDrive from the E46 era.
- Family: the B3 sits above the C1/C2 and B6 cars of the 3 Series in Alpina history.
Alpina B3 versions
- B3 2.7 (E30), B3 3.0 and 3.2 (E36), B3 3.3 (E46): the early generations.
- B3 Bi-Turbo (E9x and F30): the turbocharged generations.
- B3 GT3: the limited-edition track-inspired car.
More Alpina models are in our Alpina collection, for example the C1, the C2, the B6 and the D3.
Alpina B3 questions and answers
What is the Alpina B3?
A BMW 3 Series modified by Alpina; the name started with the E30-based B3 2.7 of 1987.
How fast is the F30 B3 Bi-Turbo?
0–100 km/h in 4.0 seconds and a top speed of 305 km/h.
How much power has the G20 B3?
340 kW (462 PS) from the S58 3.0-litre bi-turbo six.
Does the B3 come as an estate?
Yes, the E46, E9x and later cars were offered as Touring.
Sources
- Alpina, English Wikipedia: B3, C1, C2 sections and model history
